Effects of folic acid on oligozoospermia with MTHFR polymorphisms in term of seminal parameters, DNA fragmentation, and live birth rate: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that paternal folic acid deficiency is correlated with male infertility and increased birth defects in the offspring. However, there are few data concerning the influence of folic acid supplementation on male-factor infertility with MTHFR gene polymorphisms. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate whether folic acid supplementation has a beneficial effect on oligozoospermia with MTHFR gene polymorphisms in Chinese infertility population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The infertile men suffering oligozoospermia with MTHFR gene polymorphisms were randomly divided into the folic acid treatment groups receiving folic acid 0.8 mg daily for 3 months and the placebo groups receiving placebo for 3 months. Semen parameters, seminal MDA, and DNA fragmentation were measured. Furthermore, spontaneous pregnancy rate and live birth rate were evaluated. RESULTS: Administration of folic acid for 3 months could significantly improve the seminal parameters in patients with MTHFR 677 TT genotype in comparison with that receiving placebo. Moreover, seminal MDA and sperm DNA fragmentation index in patients with MTHFR 677 TT genotype significantly declined at the end of treatment. Spontaneous pregnancy rate and live birth rate tended to be significantly higher in couples in which the men with MTHFR 677 TT genotype receiving folic acid than that receiving placebo. However, folic acid treatment did not exhibit any advantage in MTHFR 677 CT, 1298 AC, 1298 CC, 1793 GA, or combined 677 CT/1298 AC genotype. DISCUSSION: The anti-oxidation function of folic acid is one of possible mechanisms invovled in improving seminal parameters and pregnancy outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Folic acid supplementation has a beneficial effect on oligozoospermia with MTHFR 677 TT genotype in term of seminal parameters, seminal MDA, sperm DNA fragmentation, and pregnancy outcome.

A Transient Upregulation of Glutamine Synthetase in the Dentate Gyrus Is Involved in Epileptogenesis Induced by Amygdala Kindling in the Rat.

Reduction of glutamine synthetase (GS) function is closely related to established epilepsy, but little is known regarding its role in epileptogenesis. The present study aimed to elucidate the functional changes of GS in the brain and its involvement in epileptogenesis using the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy induced by daily electrical stimulation of basolateral amygdala in rats. Both expression and activity of GS in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus (DG) were upregulated when kindled seizures progressed to stage 4. A single dose of L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO, in 2 µl), a selective GS inhibitor, was administered into the ipsilateral DG on the third day following the first stage 3 seizure (just before GS was upregulated). It was found that low doses of MSO (5 or 10 µg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced the severity of and susceptibility to evoked seizures, whereas MSO at a high dose (20 µg) aggravated kindled seizures. In animals that seizure acquisition had been successfully suppressed with 10 µg MSO, GS upregulation reoccurred when seizures re-progressed to stage 4 and re-administration of 10 µg MSO consistently reduced the seizures. GLN at a dose of 1.5 µg abolished the alleviative effect of 10 µg MSO and deleterious effect of 20 µg MSO on kindled seizures. Moreover, appropriate artificial microRNA interference (1 and 1.5×10(6) TU/2 µl) of GS expression in the ipsilateral DG also inhibited seizure progression. In addition, a transient increase of GS expression and activity in the cortex was also observed during epileptogenesis evoked by pentylenetetrazole kindling. These results strongly suggest that a transient and region-specific upregulation of GS function occurs when epilepsy develops into a certain stage and eventually promotes the process of epileptogenesis. Inhibition of GS to an adequate degree and at an appropriate timing may be a potential therapeutic approach to interrupting epileptogenesis.

[Clinical application of acupunctural anesthesia with new combination principle of acupoints in supratentorial craniocerebral operation of tumor in vital functional area or deep site of brain].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the experience in applying acupunctural anesthesia (AA) with new combination principle (NCP) of acupoints in supratentorial craniocerebral operation of tumor in functional area or deep site of brain. METHODS: With the acupoints selection of AA changed from the previous combination principle of near segmental and peri-operational region to the NCP of near-remote along corresponding meridian, craniotomy was carried out under AA in 23 patients. RESULTS: Operation was performed successfully in all the patients, 82.6% of them with the effectiveness reaching I A grade. In those operated on the vital functional area, such as central anterior/posterior gyrus and language center, the accidental functional injury could be well prevented. CONCLUSION: AA with NCP of acupoints has satisfactory effect in supratentorial craniocerebral operation of functional area or deep site of brain, it is especially valuable in monitoring the effect of operation on function of around normal cerebral area to avoid accident injury.

[Effects of one Chinese herbs on improving cognitive function and memory of Alzheimer's disease mouse models].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate Chinese herbs with the effect on significantly improving the cognitive function and retention of patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: AD mouse models were established by injecting poly-beta-AP25-35 into the cerebral ventricle of mice. The curative effects of traditional Chinese herbs Dangguishaoyaosan, Chaihujialonggumulitang and two herbs (CHP I and CHP II) developed by the authors on improving the memory and cognitive function of AD mouse models were studied by the detection of behavioral and histochemical tests, with piracetam serving as control. RESULT: CHP II has profound curative effects on improving the memory and cognitive function of AD-like animal model. CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that it has a satisfactory prospect to seek new drugs from Chinese herbs to treat AD.